The Many Choices with New Home Construction

Water In Your Basement? 4 Areas To Check And What You Need To Do

If you notice that there is water in your basement, even if it is just a tiny little bit and it is just one time, you'll want to begin a full-fledged investigation into where the water is coming from so that you can remedy the situation before it gets worse. Here's where you need to look and what you need to do:

1. Gutters and Downspouts

If your downspouts and gutters are not working properly, then they are going to cause puddles and/or saturated soil. Eventually, the water will make its way into the walls of your basement through cracks and other weak spots. If this appears to be the problem, you can likely fix the issue by removing debris from your gutters and downspouts. One way to do this is to get a piece of screen to install across the gutters that will collect twigs and leaves from trees or you can have a professional install a gutter system shield. You can also have your downspouts extended so that water is moved further away from your home.

2. The Slope of Your Lot

If your lot slopes toward your home then it can cause water to be directed right into your basement through holes, window wells, foundation cracks, floor and wall joints and over the foundation. In order to fix this problem, you'll need to have your land graded so that the slope is away from your home, which will allow water to drain away from your home instead of toward it.

3. Foundation Walls

If your foundation wall has cracked over time, this could be the source of the water seepage. The crack doesn't have to be large, it could be a hairline fracture and it can cause some serious damage. Concrete repair epoxy can be used to fill the cracks and then covered with a sealer – both of which can be purchase at your local general hardware store. If the cracks reappear, it could be a sign of a more serious problem that a contractor needs to address, such as significant water pressure on the home's foundation.

4. Basement Windows

Check your basement windows. Is the glass cracked or broken on one? Is there a broken seal? If so, this may be where the water is entering your basement. Be sure to repair any broken or cracked windows. Then, you'll want to ensure that all basement windows are properly sealed and weather-stripped.

If you still notice water seepage in your basement after following the aforementioned steps, you'll want to speak to a basement waterproofing expert to more thoroughly investigate and diagnose the problem. For assistance with the damage, talk to a professional like RTC Restoration.

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About Me

Building a new home brings many choices. You don’t get these opportunities when you buy an existing home. If this is your first construction project it will be a new experience. My name is Luann Finesmith. My husband and I recently moved into our newly built home and are thrilled to be here. It was our first experience with building a home, and I have to say, I had a great time picking out different features, appliances, paint colors, flooring, and more. One thing I had to remember to do is ask about the up-charges for different options. Our contractor wouldn’t always remember to tell us the price differences, and in some cases the prices were the deciding factor. I wanted to write about our experience with new home construction, and provide some tips we learned along the way.